Bernie’s Book Bank Names New CEO

May 15, 2018 11:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

LAKE BLUFF, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To support the ongoing growth ofBernie’s Book Bank, the
organization today announced it has appointed Darrin Utynek as Chief
Executive Officer, a new role to the organization. Founder Brian
Floriani will transition to Founder and Chief Advancement Officer.

Utynek brings a wealth of experience to Bernie’s Book Bank. He
previously served as Chief Operating Officer of the American Red Cross.
His responsibilities included business operations of the Chicago and
Northern Illinois Region, the fourth largest region in the country.

Prior to that, Utynek held a variety of leadership roles in both the
for-profit and nonprofit sectors; he served as the Vice President of
Administration for the Habitat Company and as the Senior Director of
Risk Management for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. As CEO, Utynek
will apply his diverse experience to lead the organization and advance
the mission of Bernie's Book Bank.

Utynek will be the first CEO of Bernie’s Book Bank. Since the creation
of this nonprofit organization in 2009, founder Brian Floriani has
served as the Executive Director. Moving forward, Floriani will assume
the role of Founder and Chief Advancement Officer, focused on strategic
fundraising, partner management and nationwide market expansion.

“I have never been more excited about our mission and the future of
Bernie’s Book Bank, especially for the children we serve and will
serve,” shared Floriani. “I am grateful for the dedication of the team
who has done incredible work to get us to where we are today. Our
organization will rise to a whole new level with Darrin Utynek as CEO.”

The addition of a CEO strengthens the organization as Bernie’s Book Bank
works toward its long-term goal to replicate in every major city across
the country.

“We are excited to welcome Darrin to the Bernie’s Book Bank team as our
new CEO,” said Jamie Wildman, Bernie’s Book Bank Board of Directors
Chair. “As the organization continues to grow and evolve, we require
additional organizational leadership to execute our plan. The Board of
Directors is confident in Darrin’s ability to take our organization to
the next level.”

Utynek assumes CEO responsibilities on May 21, 2018. "I am honored and
excited to join such an amazing organization. The opportunity to work
with a visionary founder, exceptional Board of Directors, and
high-quality team is what drew me to Bernie's Book Bank,” shared Utynek.
“I believe the organization is uniquely positioned to build on its
success.”

Founded as a 501(c)(3) in September of 2009, Bernie’s Book Bank sources,
processes and distributes quality new and gently used children’s books
to significantly increase book ownership among at-risk infants, toddlers
and school-age children throughout Chicagoland. Bernie’s Book Bank
delivers twelve quality books per year to at-risk children; because book
ownership enables and empowers them in their pursuit of a brighter
future and a better life through reading. For more information about
Bernie's Book Bank, visit www.berniesbookbank.org.